THE PROBLEM

Over 3,000 teens get pregnant every day with 60% getting pregnant again in 2 years. CHOICES International

3 million teenagers—about 1 in 4 sexually active teenagers—acquire an STD every year. Kaiser Family Foundation, The Alan Guttmacher Institute, The National Press Foundation

43% of girls and 46% of boys in 9th-12th grade have had sexual intercourse. Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2001, Youth Risk Behavior Survey as reported by The Henry Kaiser Family Foundation

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for persons between the ages of 10-14 and the 3rd leading cause of death for persons ages 15-24. American Academy of Pediatrics

Only 47% of teen girls participate in physical activities. President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

Of the estimated 5-8 million Americans who suffer from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or compulsive eating, 68% were involved by age 20. National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

40.2% of boys currently use alcohol. 42.8% drank alcohol before age 13. National Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

40.7% of boy have tried mariguana and 24.7% currently use marijuana. National Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

22% of High School Seniors have smoked marijuana in the last month. Nation Center for Health 2001

Only 29 % of students in grades 9 through 12 participated in daily school physical education in 1999, down from 42 percent in 1991. President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports

15% (almost 9 million) of 6-19 year olds are overweight according to the 1999-2000 data, or triple what the proportion was in 1980. United States Department of Health & Human Services

Between 5 to 10 million women and 1 million men are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder. National Eating Disorders Association

31.1% smoked a whole cigarette before age 13. National Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

Only 29% of teenagers say they have decision making skills. Search Institute

OUR STRATEGY